What does Taylor Swift smell like? It’s a question Swifties have been asking for years—and last night, at the MTV Video Music Awards, they finally got an answer. In a cute interaction recorded between Swift and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, Xunami Muse, Swift revealed she wears Tom Ford perfume.
A TikTok video posted to the official Ru Paul’s Drag Race account shows Muse saying to Swift, “You smell so good. What is that?” She then pretends to spritz herself and seemingly replies, “Oh, thank you, it’s Tom Ford.” Muse seems to confirm by saying, “Tom Ford! It’s so nice.”
Though Swift doesn’t go so far as to share her exact Tom Ford scent, Swifties have plenty of theories about the perfume she’s referring to in the video. Namely, Tom Ford’s Santal Blush, which appears in the background of a scene from Swift’s 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana (alongside a can of L’Oreal’s $13 Elnett Hairspray, for what it’s worth). According to Swiftie lore on TikTok, she’s confirmed to multiple fans that Santal Blush is her favorite fragrance.
“Unlike the singer’s [discontinued] perfume Wonderstruck, a bubbly, candy-like citrus scent, Santal Blush is darker, sexier, and more mature,” writes ELLE.com contributor Tatjana Freund, who names it one of the best sandalwood perfumes on the market. “Sandalwood is the star of the show, creating a woody depth for spices like cinnamon to shine; ylang-ylang offers a touch of softness to round out the mix. While practically all of Tom Ford’s fragrances have a cult following, this spicy and floral scent is in a league of its own.”
Taylor Swift’s go-to Santal Blush perfume is available at retailers like Sephora in two sizes: a 1 oz bottle for $195 and a 1.7 oz bottle for $300. If you’re looking for a warm and spicy fragrance for fall, this is the perfect vanity addition—as is Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille, another scent Swift has allegedly told fans she wears. For those who prefer floral scents, opt for Viktor&Rolf’s Flowerbomb, which Swift has been rumored to have worn throughout her 2013 Red Tour.
Will Taylor Swift ever reveal all of the contents of her fragrance collection? Only time will tell. The pop star is notoriously tight-lipped about her beauty routine, but we’ll be holding out hope and spritzing on Tom Ford’s Santal Blush until further notice.
Shop More of Taylor Swift’s Favorite Perfumes
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
Sarah Maberry is a commerce writer for Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level. When she’s not writing for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Delish and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.